FullReads

KRISTIN.
Oh–there, there! you know I was only loving you.

[Jean eats, and Kristin opens bottle of beer.]

JEAN.
Beer on midsummer night–thank you, no! I have something better than that myself. [Takes bottle of wine from drawer of table.] Yellow seal, how’s that? Now give me a glass–a wine glass you understand, of course, when one drinks the genuine.

KRISTIN.
[Fetches a glass. Then goes to stove and puts on casserole.]

Heaven help the woman who gets you for her husband. Such a fuss budget!

JEAN.
Oh, talk! You ought to be glad to get such a fine fellow as I am. And I don’t think it’s done you any harm because I’m considered your intended. [Tastes wine.] Excellent, very excellent! Just a little too cold. [Warms glass with hands]. We bought this at Dijon. It stood at four francs a litre in the bulk; then of course there was the duty besides. What are you cooking now that smells so infernally?

KRISTIN.
Oh, it’s some devil’s mess that Miss Julie must have for Diana.

JEAN.
Take care of your words, Kristin. But why should you stand there cooking for that damned dog on a holiday evening? Is it sick, eh?

KRISTIN.
Yes, it’s sick. Diana sneaked out with the gatekeeper’s mongrels and now something is wrong. Miss Julie can’t stand that.

JEAN.
Miss Julie has a great deal of pride about some things–but not enough about others! Just like her mother in her lifetime; she thrived best in the kitchen or the stable, but she must always drive tandem–never one horse! She would go about with soiled cuffs but she had to have the Count’s crest on her cuff buttons. And as for Miss Julie, she doesn’t take much care of her appearance either. I should say she isn’t refined. Why just now out there she pulled the forester from Anna’s side and asked him to dance with her. We wouldn’t do things that way. But when the highborn wish to unbend they become vulgar. Splendid she is though! Magnificent! Ah, such shoulders and–

KRISTIN.
Oh, don’t exaggerate. I’ve heard what Clara says who dresses her sometimes, I have.

JEAN.
Ha! Clara–you women are always jealous of each other. I who’ve been out riding with her–!!! And such a dancer!

KRISTIN.
Come now, Jean, don’t you want to dance with me when I’m through?

JEAN.
Of course I want to.

KRISTIN.
That is a promise?

JEAN.
Promise! When I say I will do a thing I do it! Thanks for the supper–it was excellent.

[Pushes cork in the bottle with a bang. Miss Julie appears in doorway, speaking to someone outside.]

JULIE.
I’ll be back soon, but don’t let things wait for me.

[Jean quickly puts bottle in table drawer and rises very respectfully.]

[Enter Miss Julie and goes to Kristin.]

JULIE.
Is it done?

[Kristin indicating Jean’s presence.]

JEAN
[Gallantly].

Have you secrets between you?

JULIE.
[Flipping handkerchief in his face].

Curious, are you?

JEAN.
How sweet that violet perfume is!

JULIE
[Coquettishly].

Impudence! Do you appreciate perfumes too? Dance–that you can do splendidly.

[Jean looks towards the cooking store].

Don’t look. Away with you.

JEAN
[Inquisitive but polite].

Is it some troll’s dish that you are both concocting for midsummer night? Something to pierce the future with and evoke the face of your intended?

JULIE
[Sharply].

To see him one must have sharp eyes. [To Kristin]. Put it into a bottle and cork it tight. Come now, Jean and dance a schottische with me.